The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has expressed deep regret concerning the unfortunate boat mishap that occurred on Monday 7th October, 2024 at Imore, Lagos State.
The President General of the Union, Adewale Adeyanju ,in a press release disclosed that the accident involved a fibre boat belonging to Only God Marine Limited which veered off its designated channel and collided with a wooden passenger boat.
He added that preliminary investigations revealed that the captain’s obstructed vision due to heavy cargo and negligence in adhering to safety regulations were key factors in the tragedy.
Adeyanju commended the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Mr Bola Oyebamiji for his Swift intervention which led to the rescue of some victims and the prompt treatment of the injured.
The MWUN President General implored the Federal Government to provide (NIWA) with the necessary resources to enforce safety regulations.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish the injured swift and full recovery. We have also learnt that arrests have been made and prosecution will follow swiftly.
“Mr Bola Oyebamiji’s decisive action in the immediate aftermath of the incident is worthy of recognition .We also applaud NIWA’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable as this will serve as a deterrent to others.
“Additionally, we commend Mr Oyebamiji for his vision in enhancing safety on Nigeria’s waterways. Initiatives such as the creation of the NIWA River Marshall designed to improve security and safety on our coastal waters are critical and should be further empowered .However ,we believe there is more to be done to reduce accidents including improved monitoring of boat operators, regular channeling of coastal waters, better lighting and constant removal of wrecks.
“We call on the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to provide NIWA with the necessary resources to enforce safety regulations more effectively and efficiently, ensuring that incidents like this are minimized in the future. It is our hope that this tragedy will inspire all stakeholders to prioritize safety on our waterways”
